Farm Watch scheme tours Peak District

Police across the Hope Valley are set to get out and about in their local communities in a bid to tackle rural crime and encourage residents to boost security.

Officers are hosting a Farm Watch Roadshow in April to raise awareness of the dedicated scheme and offer crime prevention advice to farmers and rural residents.

Farm Watch is a free service which is led by police and partners including Derbyshire Dales and High Peak local authorities, Derbyshire County Council and the National Farmers Union.

The project allows alerts to be spread quickly via text, email and voice messages around crime prevention advice, witness appeals and information to anyone signed up to it.

During the roadshow, officers will be on hand to offer advice on boosting home and farm security and will be offering discounted security products.

The roadshow will be heading to the following places:

· Tuesday, April 7 – Hathersage, Grindleford and Bradwell;

· Wednesday, April 8 – Rowsley, Hartington and Monyash;

· Thursday, April 9 – Tideswell, Litton and Baslow;

· Friday, April 10 – Eyam, Great Longstone and Bakewell.

PCSO Hayley Grundy from the Bakewell Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “The Farm Watch project allows messages about crime, suspicious activity and appeals to be spread quickly to residents who are interested in keeping up to date about specific areas of the county.

“The scheme ensures we can work together with rural communities to tackle crime and bring those responsible to justice.

“During the roadshow, my colleagues and I will be on hand to chat to local residents about crime prevention and ways in which they can boost their security to prevent themselves becoming a victim of crime.